large_diver
Contributor
A few comments on hose length --
As C-D mentioned above, I took DIRF recently (August 2002). I am a single tank rec diver.
The right hose length depends to some extent on your own rig and body type/size as well as personal preference. Bottom line, you want something that's as streamlined as possible, yet comfortable and easy to deploy in an air share situation. As a single tank diver with no canister light (I don't use a canister light either), you have a couple of choices.
(1) A shorter (5 or 6') hose routed from the first stage directly under your right arm, across the front of your chest, around the back of your head and into your mouth. This is the simplest and most streamlined routing, but some folks find the 5 footer too short, while the 6 footer may have too much slack.
(2) A longer (6 or 7') hose routed from the first stage down to your right hip before passing across your chest and behond your head. When the hose reaches your hip, it is held in place by (a) looping around a canister light, (b) looping around a pocket or knife on your waist belt, or (c) the excess hose is tucked into your waist belt.
Bottom line, you need to "try on" a few of the sizes to see if they work for you. To avoid spending a lot of money, the simplest solution would be to buy a 7 footer, since you can always tuck the extra slack into your waist belt -- you will get advice on this during the course.
A few other comments on preparedness:
(1) Reading -- the class reports posted on this board are a great way to know what to expect.
(2) Spool/Reel -- there was no time spent in my course on reel work. Spool/lift bag were optional, and to be honest, we did not have much time to use them. I bought a spool for the course and never took it out of my bag.
(3) Physical training -- cardio work is obviously good, especially swimming. If you are not flexible, you might want to spend time working on stretching out your back or on back strengthening exercises in the time leading up to the course -- you will be arching your back A LOT during the course.
Hope this helps -- good luck!
-LD
As C-D mentioned above, I took DIRF recently (August 2002). I am a single tank rec diver.
The right hose length depends to some extent on your own rig and body type/size as well as personal preference. Bottom line, you want something that's as streamlined as possible, yet comfortable and easy to deploy in an air share situation. As a single tank diver with no canister light (I don't use a canister light either), you have a couple of choices.
(1) A shorter (5 or 6') hose routed from the first stage directly under your right arm, across the front of your chest, around the back of your head and into your mouth. This is the simplest and most streamlined routing, but some folks find the 5 footer too short, while the 6 footer may have too much slack.
(2) A longer (6 or 7') hose routed from the first stage down to your right hip before passing across your chest and behond your head. When the hose reaches your hip, it is held in place by (a) looping around a canister light, (b) looping around a pocket or knife on your waist belt, or (c) the excess hose is tucked into your waist belt.
Bottom line, you need to "try on" a few of the sizes to see if they work for you. To avoid spending a lot of money, the simplest solution would be to buy a 7 footer, since you can always tuck the extra slack into your waist belt -- you will get advice on this during the course.
A few other comments on preparedness:
(1) Reading -- the class reports posted on this board are a great way to know what to expect.
(2) Spool/Reel -- there was no time spent in my course on reel work. Spool/lift bag were optional, and to be honest, we did not have much time to use them. I bought a spool for the course and never took it out of my bag.
(3) Physical training -- cardio work is obviously good, especially swimming. If you are not flexible, you might want to spend time working on stretching out your back or on back strengthening exercises in the time leading up to the course -- you will be arching your back A LOT during the course.
Hope this helps -- good luck!
-LD